Finance committee flags water, affordable-housing concerns in review of special-town-meeting zoning draft articles

Chair Jillian Prendergast opened the discussion of several draft warrant articles the planning board submitted for a special town meeting, identifying four main zoning topics: multifamily housing updates, a new definition and accessory-use allowance for "data centers," a density-bonus incentive for affordable units, and updated telecommunications tower safety provisions. She said all of the zoning changes will be subject to public hearing and special-permit review.

Prendergast said the data-center definition appears broad and that the planning board's changes would not allow data centers as a principal use but could make them an accessory use in certain districts. "So it seems like this description is very broad right now," Prendergast said, noting the definition could capture server rooms at town hall or in schools. Committee members worried the allowance could increase water and electricity demand at targeted sites (members repeatedly referenced the old mill complex as a likely target). One member asked the planning board to explain why central business districts were not included and whether the definition intentionally targets the mill site.

The committee discussed whether the planning board can condition approvals based on water capacity; Prendergast said that permitting for water likely involves the Department of Public Works rather than the planning board. Members asked the chair to request sponsor comments and sponsor-supplied rationales before the committee finalizes its warrant comments. The committee agreed to follow up when the planning-board sponsor comments are available and to include those clarifications in any formal comment the committee files.